Rethinking Sustainability in Facilities and Workplace Management

Description

This book discusses sustainability within the facility management industry. However, it is not another anthology of so-called best practices and the seemingly endless range of certification schemes. It is also not a (marketing) guide on how to communicate high-pitched sustainability ambitions to potential customers to increase (short-term) market share. Instead, this book is based on the realisation that most facility management businesses and departments actually find it hard to truly integrate sustainability into their strategies, tactics and day-to-day operations in a coherent way. It is also based on the reference point that sustainable development cannot be realised only through technological advancements and new procedures; it requires new behavioural patterns of people. Not only of your own employees, as a supplier or department, but also of those for whom you design, stage and manage optimal workplace experiences. Those patterns will not emerge from nowhere but need to be purposely created and cultivated, based on a thorough understanding of what people and organisations need, want and desire. Through reviewing specific barriers and opportunities related to practical situations and examples at all three levels of facility management – the operational, tactical and strategic level – and supported by the latest theoretical insights, this book provides students and practitioners with inspiration and suggestions for using sustainability as a guideline for improving workplace experience concepts and FM strategies, services and processes. Each chapter uses specific cases and examples as the starting point for reflecting on avenues to move from treating sustainability as an add-on to using it as a powerful concept to create optimal workplace experiences. In doing so, these reflections provide lecturers, students and current and future professionals with practical guidelines and pointers to take sustainability within the facility management industry to a much-needed next level. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of figures List of cases Acknowledgements Introduction The rationale for this book Set-up and style 1 Sustainability, Facilities and Workplace Management Introduction Sustainability and sustainable development Sustainable development and the facilities and workplace management industry The sustainability impact of this industry The sustainability track record of this industry Some worries that require our (immediate) attention Reasons for not accepting this status quo Summary Food for thought References 2 Technology and Behaviour Introduction The Big Five of sustainable facilities and workplace operations Energy and greenhouse gas emissions Building (materials, maintenance and furnishing) Waste and pollution Water Food and drinks The status quo again and how to challenge it Summary Food for thought References 3 People and Sustainability Introduction Human behaviour and (un)sustainability Human behaviour: a can of worms? Our tragedy of the commons and our social dilemmas Flintstones, meet the Flintstones Stimulating and promoting sustainable behaviour Learn from what we know to (not) be true Mind the values Combine approaches Tap into our stone age brain Shaping facilities and workplaces to favour sustainability Summary Food for thought References 4 Identity and Sustainability Introduction End-users’ experiences, identities and values Consumption and identity Values Your (sustainability) identity as a company or organisation Understand your brand prism Create a coherent sustainability brand/identity A coherent and transparent message Do not forget your own people! Send the right message Create your sustainability message together with staff Summary Food for thought References 5 Local Stakeholders and Sustainability Introduction Why a local orientation is key Concerted action: needed but not happening (yet) Facilities and workplace management as a natural stakeholder The local is your, your staff’s and your end-users’ context The only way is (bottom-)up! Communities and networks A local orientation for sustainable facilities and workplace management Some practical and telling examples Summary Food for thought References 6 Sustainable Business Model Logic and Competencies Introduction Business model logic for sustainability Sustainable business model logic Sustainable facilities and workplace management business model logic Competencies for sustainability Your role as a facilities and workplace management professional Sustainable facilities and workplace management competencies Summary Food for thought References Index